Notre Dame Elementary School

1200 Notre Dame Avenue

Belmont, CA 94002

29 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on October 17, 2021

Notre Dame Elementary (lower school K-5 and middle school 6-8) or NDE for short is an independent Catholic school which means it isn't tied to a parish church and has more flexibility in setting it's curriculum (i.e. takes guidance from the Archdiocese of SF but can adjust as it wishes or more accurately, amp it up!) I live in San Mateo and switched my kids from our neighborhood school to NDE last year so I now have a 1st grader and a 4th grader there. Important points to note about NDE:- small class sizes (often under 20 kids)- very focused on academics and teaching to each kid's level (they really mean it -- both my kids go through "leveled" learning in cohorts, get personalized attention from teachers on as-needed basis in addition to "whole group" teaching)- values matter (check out The Hallmarks they instill in daily life... transcends religion and I can attest to that because my husband is an atheist; side note that about half the families are Catholic and the other half are "everything else" and I believe this means a more mixed crowd relative to parish-affiliated Catholic schools)- strong community (parents and staff work together on running both fun and logistical things... pictures depict baseball team that is coached by parents and Art in Action outcomes attributed to parent volunteers)- a steal of a deal from a school choice perspective as it's ~$10K per year (compared to private schools that boast of small class sizes which typically cost 2x to 3x as much!) I now almost wonder if I should have bought a house in a "less fancy" neighborhood because the cost of NDE makes up for the differential in property taxes... E.g. $12k for a $1M home vs. $36k for a $3M home -- not that I live in the latter (!) but the delta works out to more than what tuition costs for my kids... And interestingly, this math also means that a school like NDE is very diverse because kids come from neighborhoods close by and further afield.
Submitted by parent on May 18, 2021

We have two children that started NDE in 6th grade. They’d attended an elementary school with a “project based” curriculum, so Notre Dame was a BIG change. It was a difficult adjustment for both of our children as they were not accustomed to a lot of homework or working independently. It took a while, but with time, they came around, and we think they've been quite successful. The upper school has a really solid staff. The teachers are all experienced and work hard to keep the kids motivated and prepare them for what lies ahead in high school. All the teachers are parents themselves and I feel like they’re able to relate to this 11-14 age group really well cuz they’ve been through all these changes with their own kids at home. This school is pretty small, so kids get a lot of individual attention and teachers can usually make time to help if your student needs some additional guidance. They did an outstanding job of handling COVID-19, managed to re-open safely. I highly recommend this school. I feel like the teachers here have really helped my students become more independent, communicate and advocate for themselves. Another reason that our family likes Notre Dame is the diversity. This is an ethnically and religiously diverse community. So, if you are hesitant to apply here cuz you are not Catholic or Christian, then please don’t be discouraged. My children are not baptized Catholics/Christians and they feel very comfortable and welcome at NDE. Religion classes are taught in such a way that they are inclusive and respectful of everybody’s background. Don’t get me wrong, this is a Catholic school and the curriculum is not watered down to any extent, but they just somehow manage to do it in a way that all the kids feel included and like they belong there. It’s really quite remarkable. Most of the kids here are kind, They all seem to look out for each other, which is really nice. Middle school is a tough age to get through regardless of which school your kids are at, but we’re really delighted that our kids have had the benefit of being at Notre Dame in Belmont. Probably one of the best decisions we’ve made!
Submitted by other on November 25, 2020

I joined the NDE community in 6th grade, which I think was the best year out of the 3. starting at NDE, there were 3 amazing teachers who made my and my classmates feel MOTIVATED and excited to do our work and learn. in 7th grade 2 of those amazing teachers left the school leaving 1 more teacher left. in my last year at NDE, the final teacher left the school. in the following months of each teacher leaving, there was almost no teaching in the 3 different subjects. as a current freshman, I can undoubtedly say that the school is sexist towards the boys in the upper classes. personally, some teachers have been openly biased towards other classmates in school and online. as a graduate of the school, I don't think they live up to the motto of "we teach the children what they need to know life" because to me the school is mainly prioritized on academics and religion compared to what students actually need. I also feel like the school doesn't recognize when students have a hard time, and it makes everything even tougher with the grading scale. Overall I would not go back to even visit, I do not recommend this school at all.Please keep in mind that this is my experience at the school and I have heard new staff have arrived.
Submitted by parent on November 08, 2020

This school may be a hidden gem, but it’s well established, full of history and tradition, and even current teachers and parents are alumni of the school! I have three children here and can attest to the strength and quality of the education from Kindergarten all the way to 8th grade. Strong values-based academics backed by the support of incredible teachers, NDE knows how to educate children, and they do it well. The community is so special - welcoming, inclusive, and focused on its Hallmarks - and spans across faculty, staff, students, and parents. There is zero drama, bullying, or cliques. Small class sizes keep the community tight-knit and allow for more individualized attention. The school impressively pivoted to Distance Learning (learning did not stall and was not lost!), and once again to a HyFlex model for reopening. The principal, Sr. Kathryn, is a steady leader. She listens well, greatly values the children and their voice, and is methodical and thoughtful in her approach to leading the school. I have such peace of mind knowing my children are receiving a strong education in a safe and friendly environment. NDE is a hidden treasure but it’s time to bring it into the limelight! I highly recommend checking out this school!
Submitted by parent on October 13, 2020

My son transferred into NDE in Aug 2020 and although we were expecting to have in-person classes, the new COVID cases/government rules went up just days before school was slated to start... and so we went into distance learning (DL) mode. What was amazing -- and absolutely exceeded my expectations -- is that his teacher is nothing short of excellent and she has ramped them up (gradually, week by week) into DL. We had our first parent-teacher conference meeting where all of us acknowledged that it's great to see our son learning again (short version -- he was a grade ahead in his prior year at public school and his teacher refused to do anything about it and things deteriorated even more when COVID hit because my son was frustrated by having to do things he saw as pointless and it became a daily struggle to get him to do anything... it got so bad that I "started his summer early" so he could go to camp instead... I shared this tale of woe with his current teacher and she said "you don't have to worry about that now -- you can go back to being parents and I can do my role as his teacher… we’ll work together to support him"). Not only is the teacher able and willing to figure out how to structure small group breakouts to encourage kids at their respective levels to enjoy the material being tackled but also to have them support their friends at different levels.Given how effective she is via DL, mom and dad acted as (poor, untrained) pseudo teaching assistants initially but with each passing week, he's gotten more independent so definitely no need for a learning pod as our support role has lessened with each passing week. That being said, we do look forward to in-person learning, as does his teacher (who said it's very lonely in her classroom now as she does all her teaching from there via Zoom) -- imagine how she could be even more impactful live :)As important or perhaps more so, our son’s teacher has instilled positive habits around planning and time management -- after a weeks of trying to procrastinate ("but that's not due till Friday and I've already done three assignments today"), he now diligently and (mostly) uncomplainingly gets his assignments done not long after they come in and thus is often at least a day ahead of the due date.
Submitted by parent on August 30, 2019

We love NDE! My daughter has been attending this school since kindergarten, she is now in 4th Grade. We love the small community, the sense of belonging and the way the school treats its students, faculty and parents. We’re very happy with the small classroom sizes. We feel like the attention to detail in teaching is there everyday. We couldn’t be any happier! We just wish more parents would be aware of this school. It’s a hidden gem in the great city of Belmont! Check it out you won’t be disappointed!
Submitted by parent on January 28, 2019

We are having a positive experience in the lower grades. The kids are all polite and respective although rambunctious at times. Our child is learning and develping and looks forward to attending school everyday. Highly recommend !
Submitted by parent on October 08, 2018

was very good until the recent changes in extensive bullying targeting our friends and now impacting our kids.
Submitted by parent on September 20, 2017

Our child started in kindergarten and she absolutely loves the school! The teachers and staff are great and very supportive. The parent community is also supportive, helpful and welcoming of all families. The student to teacher ratio is very low, so my child receives a lot of attention and is continuously learning and improving.
Submitted by other on March 02, 2017

Our daughter loves it here! She has made some wonderful friends and the curriculum keeps her challenged. The schoo/parent community is tight and super open and helpful and makes everyone feel comfortable. This school is definitely a hidden gem in the middle of the very bustling peninsula.
Submitted by parent on January 25, 2017

Notre Dame Elementary is a great school. I have kids that started in Kindergarten all the way to 5th grade and the experience has been amazing. The teachers are great, really low student to teacher ratio, school provides use of chrome books in the classrooms and the parent community is really involved with the school. Overall no complaints.
Submitted by parent on October 27, 2016

Notre Dame provides a safe, kind and community-oriented environment with instruction that challenges my children. The middle school prepares students extremely well for high school.
Submitted by parent on October 10, 2016

My children are so happy at Notre Dame! I appreciate the amount of attention and focused learning they get from their teachers with a 15 student to 1 credentialed teacher ratio. The school really focuses on building a strong community and teaching the children respect and kindness for others. The school has a new science lab for in-class experiments and has invested greatly in technology over the recent years. The students use ipads, chrome books and Kindles in class for reading and learning. We are also a google school meaning we use google docs, email and classrooms for school work, communication with teachers, shared projects etc.With the connection to Notre Dame High and Notre Dame College, the kids have opportunities for advanced learning and unique extra curricular activities. In addition to sports they have access to extracurricular activities like chess club, gardening, legos, Spanish club, choir and tech club. The extended care program is held on campus and is lead by school faculty. They receive help with homework and then have reading time, outdoor playtime, crafts and games.My children are being exposed to so many activities and unique opportunities at NDE. It's great to see them becoming well-rounded kids who love to learn!The community is very down to earth and welcoming. Not only have my children made great friends but my husband and I have as well!
Submitted by parent on September 30, 2016

We just completed our third year at Notre Dame Elementary and I am very pleased. The classes are kept small, each with two qualified teachers who instruct in a loving and kind manner. The extra curriculums are great and there is a nice sense of community for both parents and students.
Submitted by parent on June 21, 2015

"mean girls club" for elementary age. character training is definitely not a priority in this Montessori environment
Submitted by parent on October 01, 2014

Notre Dame Elementary is one of a kind school. At NDE your child will be provided with his or hers academics demands,and also his emotional and spiritual support. As a parent it is really nice to chat with teachers about your kids informally without having to set up a appointment, this is our fourth year at NDE and my kids are very happy and have planned already to stay until they finish 8th grade. Parent involvement is encouraged and gladly accepted by teachers and staff. So far is being a great pleasure to be part of the fine Community of Notre Dame Elementary.
Submitted by parent on September 30, 2014

This school is truly a hidden gem in Belmont. Our family has had nothing but positive experiences at the school. Our children are doing well academically and the teachers and administration have been very open. Having 2 teachers in each class along with specialist teachers, Spanish, technology, music etc has also been very beneficial for our children . Within the classes children are taught at their individual level and not at the lowest denominator. The community for children and parents is involved with many opportunities to get involved in class and also within the community. The school has small class sizes which I really like and it is nice to see different grades interacting with each other on the playground. The students are also very respectful and kind to each other which is so much a part of the teaching within the school. I have had no issues with Bullying, in fact in the 5 years we have been here I have not heard of any bullying going on. I would certainly recommend this school.
Submitted by parent on September 11, 2014

Set on a large private campus in Belmont, Notre Dame Elementary is the Peninsula's best hidden secret in primary education. Offering an excellent K - 8 co-ed experience, the staff and administration are truly excellent. Classes aspire to have 25 children in every room (30 in the upper grades) and each class has two credentialed teachers - the main teacher and the assistant teacher to focus on small group learning activity and social emotional growth. It is a very safe and loving environment and one you can only hope for your child. There is an excellent range of core subjects, as well as our newly opened Science Lab run by the most amazing science teach Mrs. Wiebe!! The upper grades (6th, 7th and 8th grades) have their science classes in the lab with Mrs. Wiebe and so far they LOVE it. We are implementing a technology program this year with the purchase of an iPad Cart. The sense of community at the school is wonderful with parents committed to educating their children and supporting the staff. we are very happy at Notre Dame Elementary and encourage you to check it out.
Submitted by parent on June 26, 2014

I am very happy with the school as a whole,I believe my kids will not be loved and get the academic demands from no other school . I have at Notre Dame the same feelings I had when they attend preschool ,I am positively sure that here they get everything necessary to succeed in life it goes beyond academic skills they also make sure kids social emotioanal needs are met and nurtured . I love the school as well as my Boys !!
Submitted by parent on June 23, 2014

We have three children at this school and we are very happy with the education they are receiving. The small class size and the the teaching staff (all with teaching credentials) help to provide a positive learning environment. It is true this school may not be for everyone, and that's OK. If your child comes in with a positive attitude, is willing to learn and gets along positively with thier peers and teachers they will thrive here. This really isn't the school for demanding, high maintenance families that need constant attention. The staff is too busy helping those that want to be here succeed.